SCANS II cetacean sightings from aerial surveys 2005 ...

• Main Author: Lacey, Claire
• Format: Dataset
• Language: English
• Published: OBIS-SEAMAP 2021
• Subjects: Occurrence,Marine Animal Survey,Marine Biology,Marine mammals,Sea turtles,Visual Sighting,Aircraft; Observation; Occurrence; Harbour porpoise
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.15468/pzawp6; https://www.gbif.org/dataset/b5f929d7-02d8-4de7-8a23-b9917c0e3e63

Original provider: Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St. Andrews Dataset credits: Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St. Andrews Abstract: The European Union (EU) Habitats Directive requires Member States to monitor and maintain at favourable conservation status those species identified to be in need of protection, including all cetaceans. In July 2005 we surveyed the entire EU Atlantic continental shelf to generate robust estimates of abundance for harbour porpoise and other cetacean species. The survey used line transect sampling methods and purpose built data collection equipment designed to minimise bias in estimates of abundance. Shipboard transects covered 19,725 km in sea conditions 6Beaufort 4 in an area of 1,005,743 km2. Aerial transects covered 15,802 km in good/moderate conditions (6Beaufort 3) in an area of 364,371 km2. Thirteen cetacean species were recorded; abundance was estimated for harbour porpoise (375,358; CV = 0.197), bottlenose dolphin (16,485; CV = 0.422), white-beaked ...